2011 MEDIA COVERAGE

The Hinckley Institute of Politics hosts many notable public officials and political experts every year. Follow the links below for media coverage of Hinckley Forums and other Hinckley Institute events.

December 27, 2011: “‘Real Women Run’ – Public Leadership Training Empowers Women to Actively Pursue Politics” (Utah Pulse.com) ”‘The Hinckley Institute’s mission is to promote citizen involvement in government “ our mission is not being fulfilled if half of the population isn’t fully engaging in the political process. Hinckley Institute Founder Robert H. Hinckley said, ˜Making up your mind to begin the battle is half the game; nerve to stick to the finish is the other half.’ The Real Women Run initiative is here to first empower Utah women to want to be politically active and then give them the tools and confidence to make it happen,’ said Lindsay Zizumbo, Program Manager, Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

December 27, 2011: “‘Real Women Run’ – Public Leadership Training Empowers Women to Actively Pursue Politics” (Utah Policy.com) ” The Hinckley Institute’s mission is to promote citizen involvement in government “ our mission is not being fulfilled if half of the population isn’t fully engaging in the political process. Hinckley Institute Founder Robert H. Hinckley said, ˜Making up your mind to begin the battle is half the game; nerve to stick to the finish is the other half.’ The Real Women Run initiative is here to first empower Utah women to want to be politically active and then give them the tools and confidence to make it happen, said Lindsay Zizumbo, Program Manager, Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

December 26, 2011: “Newt Gingrich’s position on courts wrong” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ” Delegates to the Constitutional Convention separated power by creating three separate branches of government and giving each an advantage over the other two. The legislative branch got the power of the purse, to control the money. The executive branch got the power of the sword, to enforce the law and control the military. The judiciary branch got life tenure, shielding it from political pressure when making decisions. c

December 23, 2011: “World Bank Executive Director Will Visit Utah, Share Global Business Opportunities” (Utah Pulse.com) ”The Utah business community will have the unique opportunity to host the Executive Director of the World Bank, Honorable Ian Solomon, on January 13, at 8:30 a.m. at the Salt Lake Chamber. Director Solomon will discuss global business opportunities in products services and consulting with the business in the morning session. His afternoon presentation will take place at the University of Utah- Hinckley Institute of Politics, where he will speak on the topic of globalization, its challenges and opportunities.”

December 19, 2011: “Who’s more electable, Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich?” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”What will be the deciding factor in determining the winner? At the beginning of the debate last Thursday, Fox News commentators said the No. 1 question raised by viewers who texted in their pre-debate comments was electability. Republican voters wanted to know which candidate was best positioned to beat Obama. Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

December 19, 2011: “Considering Utah’s Caucus and Convention System” by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy.com) ”Kirk Jowers of the University of Utah’sHinckley Institute of Politics believes Utah’s caucus/convention system is not working well. He favors, at the very least, opening up that system by the political parties themselves loosening their 60 percent candidate nomination rule. ‘That alone would get more (candidates) into primary elections,’ he told a special seminar/debate on the topic hosted by the foundation in the Zions Bank headquarters.”

December 15, 2011: “Utah voter participation down” by Brittany Green-Miner (Fox 13) ”Kirk Jowers of the Hinkley Institute of Politics says that’s what is keeping mainstream voters away from the polls. ‘The one thing we always find is when voter participation gs down, polarization and extremism gs up. If we can get everyone involved, we think we have a better chance to solve our state’s and our nation’s problems,’ said Jowers.”

December 12, 2011: “Examining federal revenue sources” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”User fees are just what the name implies. Those who use cars and trucks on public roads pay for highway construction and repair through the gas tax. Those who fly on airlines fund the Federal Aviation Administration through the ticket tax. Those who visit national parks support park maintenance with admission fees, and so on. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

December 11, 2011: “Romney’s wager comment in debate may have cost him, experts say ” by John Daley (KSL) “Kirk Jowers appeared on KSL to Romney’s comments in the Republican devate. See video here.

December 7, 2011: “Cut caucus-convention power ” by Sheryl Allen (Salt Lake Tribune) ”Gov. Jon Huntsman’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy worked diligently to determine why Utah’s voter participation had tanked from leading the nation in voter turnout to a ranking that is now a miserable 50 percent. According to Commission Chair and Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers, The 800-pound gorilla of our democratic malaise is the caucus-and-convention system.

December 5, 2011: “On climate change, let sense rule” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Last week, in Durban, South Africa, The 17th conference of the parties concerned with the question of climate change began its meetings. It is considered the last hope to revive the Kyoto Protocol, which former Vice President Al Gore proclaimed as the definitive blueprint for reversing the trend of carbon emissions. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

December 3, 2011: “Romney and Huntsman have differing leadership styles” by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) ”Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime Romney friend and supporter, said . . . “It’s ingrained in him to dig below the superficial answers.’Utahns saw that firsthand when Romney took over the Olympics, Jowers said. ‘We saw him come in and deal with the very complex situation with the Olympics, which dealt with everything from intense security after 9/11 to generating international and local support after the scandal.’”

November 28, 2011: “Eighty percent is better than nothing” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”No, they’re not. Oh, to be sure, each party has its share of activists and officeholders who are ideologically brain-frozen, ego-driven, truly clueless or some combination thereof. But the majority of people who get into the political fray, from the left or the right, do so because they are patriotic Americans who are truly concerned about the direction of their country and honestly believe they can help solve its problems. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

November 27, 2011: “Gingrich wins NH backing as Romney plugs along ” by Phillip Elliot (KSL) “Kirk Jowers appeared on KSL to discuss Gingrich’s endorsement in NH. See video here.”

November 16, 2011: “Former Utah senator suggests raising gas tax” by David Fierro (KSL) “Bennett said the likelihood of a gas tax increase is slim because Congress ds not have the stomach for it. ‘It is heresy in Washington today to increase taxes on anything, particularly among those who were just elected because they ran on the campaign promise that they would not increase taxes, he said.” Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

November 14, 2011: “History of Utah’s nominating process” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) “Political parties initially picked their nominees by means of conventions. Then, roughly a century ago, some states started replacing conventions with “primary” elections, so named because they preceded the “general” election. Voters in those states registered as members of the party of their choice in order to vote in that party’s primary. The idea caught, on and primaries began to replace conventions in state after state. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

November 11, 2011: “Ds Utah’s Nominating System Cater to Extremes?” by Bob Bernick (Utah Policy) ”Others working on the idea include Leavitt, a three-term elected governor and former head of the Environmental Protection Agency and federal department of Health and Human Services; Rich McKeown, Leavitt’s chief of staff both at the state and federal levels; and Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah and former head of a special governor’s commission on democracy and voting in Utah.”

November 2011: “Real Women Should Run” by Marilyn O’Dell (Leauge of Women Voters Newslwetter) ”To encourage women to run for public office, work on political campaigns, and serve on public board and commissions, YWCA-Salt Lake City and the Hinckley Institute of Politics have organized Real Women Run. The group has invited the League of Women Voters to join in planning, publicizing and participating in these events. Real Women Run is organizing two free nonpartisan events open to women throughout the state.”

November 11, 2011: “Politics Up Close: Real Women Run, LDS Dems and Auditor Controversy” by Jeff Robinson (KCPW) ”W ith only five in the Senate and 13 in the House of Representatives, the Utah Legislature ranks 43rd among the states for the number of women lawmakers. But a new initiative from the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and the YWCA of Salt Lake City aims to get more Utah women into government and public policy-making. We talked about the Real Women Run campaign with the Hinckley Institute’s Lindsay Zizumbo and former State Representative Lorie Fowlke of Orem.”

November 3, 2011: “Community Voices “ November 3, 2011″ (KPCW) ”Kirk Jowers, Director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, talks to co-hosts Linda Gorton and Larry Warren about all things political, from redistricting to the caucus system in Utah and its in making Utah in the bottom three of US states as far as voter participation gs.”

November 2, 2011: “Here Comes The Sun” by Katharine Biele (City Weekly) ”If this is a philosophical argument, then we wonder why Utah Sen. Howard Stephenson is all a-twitter about the U’s Hinckley Institute of Politics‘ Kirk Jowers having a vanity scholarship in his name, and maybe directing its use. Stephenson thinks that’s unseemly, although we don’t know what he thinks of a member of Congress doing the same thing.”

October 2011: “Shaping up the 2012 Elections” (College of Social and Behavioral Science Newsletter) ”The debt situation is undoubtedly one of the many concerns potential voters have when it comes to this next election. According to Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, the single biggest issue for everyone running in this election is the current debt situation. Programs and priorities are hindered by the debt issue which is seen as the biggest issue by voters and by the international countries, he says, And a lot of the debt problems are very solvable. It will just take some deviation from basic principles to get to that point.

October 2011: “Annual Siciliano Forum Is Upon Us Once More” (College of Social and Behavorial Science Newsletter) ”The Hinckley Institute of Politics presents the 15th Annual Rocco. C. and Marion S. Siciliano Forum. The topic ofConsiderations on the Status of the American Society will examine The Future of Journalism. From October 24th-28th, there will be several events and forums the public to hear from numerous specialists from a variety of journalistic backgrounds and their ideas about the future of journalism. The Hinckley Institute will be holding a variety of forums throughout “

October 24, 2011: “Occupy Wall Street protests can’t repeal law of supply and demand” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Compared to many other efforts at stirring mass action, Occupy Wall Street has been tiny and embarrasingly ineffective. In Washington DC, they spent a morning debating how to best “occupy” ” that is, shut down ” the Hart Senate Office Building. The primary suggestion was that they get on elevators and push all the buttons, slowing the elevators to a crawl. Unable to agree among themselves, they did nothing, and the Hart Building’s workers continue to function without being forced to take the stairs.. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’sHinckley Institute of Politics.”

October 19, 2011: “Redistricting Recap Wednesday” by Eric Peterson (City Weekly) ”For a blow-by-blow recap of what’s happened in the redistricting process that has set in stone the maps that will guide Utahns for the next 10 years in electing their state legislators, congressional representatives and school board members, you won’t want to miss this forum presented by the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. Along with Speaker Lockhart, and other representatives of the Redistricting Committee, the forum will include John Fellows, Legislative Counsel for the Redistricting Committee.”

October 17, 2011: “Would America vote for a Mormon?” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”With two Mormons in the current race for the Republican nomination, the poll question, “Would you vote for a Mormon for president?” keeps appearing in the news, showing that a large percentage of Americans say “no.” Ds that mean that neither Mitt Romney nor Jon Huntsman Jr. has a chance to be president? Let’s talk about polls. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

October 17,. 2011: “U Forum to Examine Journalism’s Future ” (Medai Newswire) ”‘The press can be our greatest educator and catalyst for change,’ saysKirk Jowers, director of the U’s Hinckley Institute of Politics hosting the event. ‘Our methods of obtaining the news may be changing”instead of reading the paper over breakfast in the morning, we are navigating Internet sites and social media on our smart phones all day long”but the value of a free, independent press remains central to building engaged, informed citizens, strengthening our democracy and preserving our freedoms.’

October 13, 2011: “Is the US view of Mormons changing?” (BBC) ”Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics said, ‘As long as people recognize him as the turn around guy for the olympics, the governor, his businesses and so many other aspects of him. Mormonism is every bit a part of him and I don’t think he will ever shy away from that.”

October 12, 2011: “Academic politics” (Salt Lake Tribune) ”The backstory of a $200,000 donation that led to the dispute between Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, and Peter Valcarce, a political operative and now disgruntled contributor, is enough to make us dizzy.”

October 10, 2011: “Republican race is Mitt Romney’s to lose” by Bob Bennett (Deseret News) ”Last week, two more former or sitting governors ” Sarah Palin and Chris Christie ” announced that they would not seek the Republican nomination for president. Adding their names to those of Haley Barbour, Mitch Daniels, George Pataki and Tim Pawlenty means that nine governors have seriously considered running. Those six have either declined to do so or dropped out, leaving three ” Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman Jr.” in the race. There is only one former senator, Rick Santorum. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

October 9, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, was interviewed on the County Seat television program on ABC Channel 4, regarding redistricting.

October 3, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hicnkely Institute of Politics, was interviewed live in-studio on the Doug Wright Show, KSL Radio, regarding redistricting.

October 3, 2011: “Pros and cons of electoral college” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”However, having the Congress choose the president would undermine the doctrine of separation of power and make the president politically dependent on Congressional favor. Few were satisfied with this method but none could think of anything else to do. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

Septemebr 28, 2011: “In low-voting Utah, young adults and Latinos vote least ” by Lee Davidson (Salt Lake Tribune) ”Kirk Jowers, director of theHinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, who also led a state panel that examined ways to increase voter turnout, also said after elections last year that turnout was likely low because of a perception that the state had no competitive races. Jowers has said the state could adopt some improvements to help voting. He said allowing same-day registration would help. Additionally, he suspects that Utah’s caucus and convention system may depress turnout because it allows a small number of state party convention delegates to essentially write the ballot without participation by most of the electorate.”

September 27, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio’s Afternoon News with Scott and Maria regarding the use of social media by political candidates.

September 20, 2011: “District Six Candidates Debate Focused on Ethics” by Whitney Evans (KCPW) ”Candidates for Salt Lake City Council District Six were having a hard time keeping their blows above the belt Tuesday during a debate at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Charlie Luke and Councilman J.T. Martin disagreed about the state of the city’s east bench and the possibility of a convention hotel, but the big hits were more personal. “

September 19, 2011: “America remains a nation at risk” by Bob Bennett (Deseret News) ”Ronald Reagan said he would abolish the Department of Education, created by Jimmy Carter at the behest of the National Education Association. (They boasted, “We are the only lobby in town that has its own department.”) Reagan appointed a Utahn, Ted Bell, as Secretary of Education but told him his job would soon disappear. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

September 12, 2011: “The Mitt Romney, Rick Perry show” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ” Early political predictions in a presidential race are often foolish and always risky, but last Wednesday’s debate involving all announced Republican candidates appears to have shaken out the field. While there were eight candidates on the stage, it quickly became the Mitt and Rick show. Most observers believe that the race for the nomination has hardened into a fight between those two.

September 7, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was live in Studio on Channel 4, Good Morning Utah to talk about the Republican presidential debates.

September 5, 2011: “Protect labor voting rights and jobs” by Senator Bob Bennett (Deseret News) ”Union leaders are obviously unhappy with this trend but have been unable to reverse it because workers have not been voting their way in union elections. When a majority of workers in a company sign a card saying that they want an election, the National Labor Relations Board, set up by Congress, conducts one, by secret ballot. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. “

September 1, 2011: “Hinckley internships for all majors” by Nic Dunn (Daily Utah Chronicle) ”‘Kirk Jowers, director of the institute, said one of his goals is to expand the diversity of the institute by attracting students from a variety of majors. Dozens of students visited the Hinckley Institute of Politics on Wednesday to grab some free pizza and learn about internship opportunities. ‘We’ve more than doubled the number of internships, but more than tripled the number of non-political science majors,’ Jowers said. ‘If you’re an engineer and you want to build a bridge, you better know how government works.’”

August 30, 2011: “Happening today: Rep. Jim Matheson speaks at the U.’s Hinckley Institute of Politics at 10:45 a.m. This evening, Sen. Mike Lee holds a town hall from 6 to 8 p.m. in Sanpete County at the Fairview City Hall.” (Political Cornflakes)

August 29, 2011: “Chris Cannon fined for campaign violations ” by Matt Canham (Salt Lake Tribune) ”Cannon hired Kirk Jowers and Matthew Sanderson of Caplin & Drysdale to handle the probe, the same attorneys he hired in 2005 when the FEC audited his campaign. That audit found only minor paperwork problems. In contrast, former Sen. Bob Bennett, who lost in 2010, left office in relative financial health. He paid off his debts and handed the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics an $85,000 check this month. Bennett is a U. of U. alumnus who is now a paid adviser to the Hinckley Institute.”

August 29, 2011: “China’s view of U.S. financial debate” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”I did not write a column last week because I was in China, where I had the opportunity of addressing a university class, exchanging views with a seminar of economists and conducting interviews with several journalists. It was an interesting insight into how the recent U.S. financial debates are viewed there. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

August 28, 2011: “With Hatch-Chaffetz showdown averted, what’s next?” by Frank Pignanelli and LaVarr Webb (Deseret News) ” For the immediate future, Chaffetz will need to mend fences with supporters that may be angry at this change of heart. He raised eyebrows with a strange setting for the declaration of his non-candidacy: Monday afternoon at the University of Utah ” a liberal bastion ” and at a difficult time for reporters. Further, he attacked Hatch when most politicos believed this was a time for nominal graciousness. These are landmines for Chaffetz to maneuver around. However, the right wing will always embrace his strong talents and the media will continue their love affair with his edgy but funny demeanor.

August 26, 2011: “Welcome to the club! Nearly 70 University of Utah students have began fall internships with government agencies, nonprofits and private organizations in Utah, Washington and nearly 20 countries through the Hinckley Institute of Politics. And all of them are now signed up for Political Cornflakes, as are students in Peter Watkins Comm 5200 class at the U. We wish you the best and welcome you to the growing group of political insiders who wake up to this news digest. (Political Cornflakes)

August 25, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Insitute of Poltics was interviewed on Radio West with Doug Fabrizio. Lisen here.

August 22, 2011: “Chaffetz Passes on Hatch Challenge” by Kyle Trygstad (Roll Call) ”Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah and with whom Chaffetz spoke during his deliberations over the past several months, called Chaffetz the 800-pound gorilla in Utah Republican politics. Despite Chaffetz’s strong approval among the state party’s delegates, Jowers said Chaffetz’s decision boiled down to where he would be most effective.”

August 22, 2011: “Chaffetz Won’t Enter “Multi-Million Dollar Bloodbath” Sen. Race” by Eric Peterson (City Weekly) ”Kirk Jowers, Director of theHinckley Institute of Politics, says a Hatch versus Chaffetz battle would have been a ‘spectacular race’ but not a sure victory for Chaffetz. ‘Representative Chaffetz has really explored this run,’ Jowers said. ‘And that’s why it’s made such great political theatre; it was a very legitimate question for Chaffetz. He’s very successful in the House, very tied in with House leadership”it would have been a lot to leave behind.’”

August 15, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio regarding the results of the Iowa Straw Poll.

August 15, 2011: “Effects of debt ceiling wrestling match” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”No one knows any of the answers. That is one reason why the stock market has reacted with such volatility; markets hate uncertainty, as the wild swings in the Dow Jones Industrial averages have demonstrated. However, one can make some educated guesses. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

August 8, 2011: “The debt ceiling and 2012 campaigns” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”With the vote on the debt ceiling now completed, political discussion has shifted to its possible impact on the 2012 campaign. Will it determine who the Republican nominee will be? Will that nominee be able to use it in his/her campaign against President Barack Obama? Or will the president be able to use it to discredit the Republicans as obstructionists? The newspapers, blogs and airwaves are full of commentary on these questions. They are fleeting ones. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

August 4, 2011: “Huntsman Campaign in Turmoil” by Faith Mangan (Fox News) ”A big part of the reported strife inside the campaign supposedly centers around Weaver. Tim Chambless, a professor of politics at Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah explains, ‘He’s known for being a little controversial, known for being a little unconventional and for getting results. But what we see right now is that Jon Huntsman came into this campaign effort at end of April, beginning of May and the movement in polls has not been there for him.’”

August 3, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics spoke a the Capitol Club meeting sponsored by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Listen to the podcast here.

August 1, 2011: “The Civil War’s lesson on secession” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”In July, we commemorate the birth of America, the founding of Utah and, this year, the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Its first major clash was fought on July 21st, 1861, and a re-enactment was staged at Bull Run just a few weeks ago. It created a good amount of review and commentary about the war. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

July 31, 2011: “Why Harvard may not help Mitt Romney catch votes” by Hal Boyd (Deseret News) ”‘When you do polling you look at a number of factors and you try to understand what motivates people to vote a certain way,’ said Tim Chambless, a professor of political science with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. “Ultimately, what we find is there is a block of voters … who are suspicious of well-educated and wealthy candidates, especially those with inherited wealth and who are better educated than they are.”

July 29, 2011: “Hatch vs. Chaffetz Looks to Be a Brutal Battle” by Shushannah Walshe (ABC News) ”Tim Chambless, a professor of politics atHinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said the battle has been going on behind the scenes for at least 15 months. ‘Sen. Hatch says he is in the fight of his life,’ Chambless said. ‘He has been campaigning very hard. He has tried to encourage Chaffetz to stay in the House. … Chaffetz is very good at retail politics. I think he is more effective than Hatch in talking one-on-one to small groups in an enthusiastic way.’”

July 22, 2011: “Utah Immigration” (Religion and Ethics Newsweekly) ” Tim Chambless is a professor with the Hinkley Institute Of Political Science at the University of Utah. PROFESSOR TIM CHAMBLESS: We do know that the Utah State Legislature is unique because about 91 percent of the 104 members of the Utah State Legislature self-identify as LDS. And each member, almost each member would say they’re a good church member. They’re a member of the Republican party and their a good church member and they’re very divided on this issue.”

July 18, 2011: “Shock from default would devastate” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”In previous columns, I expressed optimism about the debt ceiling debate, assuming, with most others, that a default would not occur. However, as I write this, a number of people now think a default is not only possible but maybe even likely. Hypothetical questions about what would happen are turning into strategic plans about what to do.” Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

July 11, 2011:Tim Chambless, a professor of political science and Hinckley Institute of Politics Academic Coordinator was interviews on KCPW re: “Wimmer Files for Congressional Committee”.

July 11, 2011: “Entitlement reform and tax structuring” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Entitlement costs ” which constitute the largest component of government spending ” are tied to demographic trends. If you pass a law that says that everyone over 65 is entitled to a certain payment, and the number of people who reach 65 gs up by 50 percent, the cost of the total program automatically gs up by the same 50 percent. Raise the payment to each individual and costs go up even more. That’s what happened in Europe and is happening here.” Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics

July 5, 2011: “˜We Cannot Forget’ a sobering view 17 years after Rwandan genocide” by Sheldon Wardwell (Daily Utah Chronicle)” Grasping the reality of such an event is difficult, even after spending significant time in the country. After graduating from the U in 2009, I served an internship through theHinckley Institute of Politics with the Rwanda Governance Advisory Council. During my internship, I met several survivors and perpetrators of the genocide, as well as visited numerous massacre sites, mainly churches, where defenseless Tutsi families had sought refuge only to be hacked down by Interahamwe and civilian mobs using machetes and other farming tools.”

July 4, 2011: “On the Declaration of Independence” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”The Fourth of July ” the day we eat hot dogs, hear speeches, listen to patriotic music and watch fireworks ” is also a good day for us to learn a little history about the Declaration of Independence.” Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

June 30, 2011: “Jon Huntsman’s Secret Campaign Weapon: Dad” by Erik Hayden (National Journal) “Huntsman Sr. apparently took offense recently when Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, chose to support Mitt Romney’s campaign instead of lining up with Huntsman. According to two sources with knowledge of the incident, Huntsman Sr.”who has donated $15,000 to the institute every year for a decade and a half”had a supporter deliver the message that he was seriously reconsidering future donations.”

June 28, 2011: “Candidate filing: Davis County cities and Ogden ” by Pamela Manson (Salt Lake Tribune) ” , Tim Chambless a University of Utah political science professor [and academic outreach coordinator at the Hinckley Institute of Politics], said municipal office is the government level closest to people. Working in the trenches can be hard, he said, but is worth it. ‘At times, candidates feel it’s a thankless job but in hindsight, they usually say it was one of the highlights of their lives,’ Chambless said.”

June 28, 2011: “Huntsman’s Big Daddy” by Mckay Coppins and David Graham (The Daily Beast) ”Huntsman Sr. apparently took offense recently whenKirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, chose to support Mitt Romney’s campaign instead of lining up with Huntsman. According to two sources with knowledge of the incident, Huntsman Sr.”who has donated $15,000 to the institute every year for a decade and a half”had a supporter deliver the message that he was seriously reconsidering future donations.”

June 28, 2011: “Tim Chambless, Academic Coordnator for the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL regarding the Huntsman to visit Utah business leaders.”

June 27, 2011: “Romney pushes early Utah primary that could cost state $3M ” by Robert Gehrke (Salt Lake Tribune) ”Kirk Jowers, an adviser to the Romney team, said the June primary is so late in the presidential nominating process that it would make Utah meaningless. ‘Utah now knows what it feels like to be relevant in a presidential contest,’ Jowers said, referring to the state’s February 2008 primary in the last election. ‘I can’t imagine Utah wants to go back to being irrelevant.’ Tim Chambless, a political science professor with the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, said that Huntsman may have the resources and enough support among GOP moderates to stick around in the contest until a Utah primary in June.”

June 27, 2011: “Huntsman and Romney dash for cash” by Jamshid Ghazi Askar (Deseret News) ”‘There were so many first-time donors to Romney in 2007-08 that have now been contributing to other candidates since then because it ignited a fire in them,’ said Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. ‘Such an incredibly small percentage of people actually make political donations, and the single biggest indicator of whether someone will give is if they’ve given before. So I think the excitement over Romney (in 2007-08) will actually increase the amount of political dollars available in Utah in the future.’”

June 27, 2011: “Defining ‘democracy’ and ‘republic’” by Robet Bennett (Deseret News) Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the Huntsman Seminar on Constitutional Government at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, attended by history and government teachers from schools across the state.”Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics

June 24, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on Doug Wright about Romney visit and Huntsman Seminar.”

June 23, 2011: “Mitt Romney campaigning Friday at Salt Lake’s Hires Big H” by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News) ”‘Mitt takes nothing for granted and particularly Utah, which has been such an incredible source of support both financially and in volunteer hours,’ said Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime Romney adviser. He’s making the stop at Hires because he ‘loves to just meet with people on their own home turf, and particularly small-business owners,’ Jowers said. ‘And he loves the Hires burgers. Ever since the Olympics, Hires has been a favorite place.’”

June 20, 2011: “Debate good, but debt limit must go up” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ” If it is not raised, the Treasury Department will be unable to sell more bonds. Some say that would create market panic and trigger a world wide meltdown in the financial system; others say markets would rally because the world would know that we were serious about getting our financial house in order. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.“

June 17, 2011: “Hatch Courts Tea Party to Boost Election Chances” by Kirk Victor (The Fiscal Times) ”‘It is a common perception among folks here in the state that he has been maneuvering to the right, shifting to the right as he knows Election Day is coming,’ said University of Utah political science professor [and academic outreach coordinator at the Hinckley Institute of Politics] Tim Chambless. His vote ratings in National Journal show a move from the 29th most conservative senator in 2008, 30th in 2009 to 17th last year.”

June 14, 2011: Tim Chambless, Academic Coordinator at the Hinckley Institute of Politics interviewed with Lucky Severson and Trent Harris, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. Re: Immigration Laws, Utah Legislators, and the Influence of the LDS Church. [Program is scheduled to air on KUED-TV Channel 7 at a later date in 2011].

June 13, 2011: “Romney leads race to take on Obama” by Richard McGregor (FT.com) “Tim Chambless of the University of Utah [and academic outreach coordinator at the Hinckley Institute of Politics] said the church had been trying for a decade to become more visible in the mainstream but still faced suspicion. ‘Evangelicals will probably vote against Mr Romney even if they agree with him on business,’ he said, citing polls that record up to 39 per cent of evangelicals saying they won’t support a Mormon.’”

June 13, 2011: Tim Chambless, Academic Coordinator at the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio 1160re : Tonight’s Republican Presidential Candidates Debate in New Hampshire.

June 12, 2011: “A Step in the Right Direction for Children Around the World” by Chris Dodd and Robert Bennett ”Last week, mothers in Mozambique walked up to 15 miles on behalf of their children. They weren’t part of a walk-a-thon or a protest, but their footsteps sent an equally powerful message: they were walking so their children could receive lifesaving vaccines to protect them from the blindness, deafness, brain damage and death caused by measles.Robert Bennett represented Utah in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2011. He is the chairman of The Bennett Consulting Group, a Resident Scholar at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, and a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Center.”

June 8. 2011: “Is the US ready for a Mormon president ” by Tom Geoghegan (BBC News) ”Tim Chambless, Political Scientist, Hinckley Institute of Politics - “Polygamy or plural marriage was practised by Mormons until 1890 when leaders announced it would no longer be appropriate church policy.As a result, Utah was accepted as a state in 1894. The federal government had opposed statehood for Utah until the polygamy issue was resolved.Women received the right to vote shortly after the Civil War ended in 1865. Today, in Utah and in nearby neighbouring states, it is estimated that plural marriage is practised by perhaps 35,000-45,000 people. But this number cannot be documented.”

June 7, 2011: “10 good examples of the type of leaders we need” by Randy Shumway (Deseret News) ”Kirk Jowers: Dubbed the “most quoted man in Utah,” Jowers is a Harvard-educated partner of a top international law firm. Along with chairing Utah’s Commission on Strengthening Democracy and serving on Gov. Gary Herbert’s “Kitchen Cabinet,” Jowers leads the U.’s Federal Relations and Hinckley Institute, which he has expanded globally and grown significantly since taking the helm.”

June 6, 2011: “A Westerner too reasonable for the White House?” by Stephanie Paige Ogburn (High Country News) ”That experience carries into his management and political style, says University of Utah political science professor [and Hinckley Institute of Politics Academic Coordinator] Tim Chambless, who’s been closely watching Utah political wrangling for 30 years. ‘Jon Huntsman¦will self identity as a good manager, problem solver, looking for consensus. That’s what good diplomats do. He’s looking for an approach where he can walk out of the room and people feel good. That’s not an approach that’s going to endear him to the Tea Party people. And the Tea Party people are the ones who are the loud ones right now.”

June 6, 2011: “Satirical Newsweek Cover Features Romney and Religion” by Carole Mikita and Andrew Adams (KSL) ”‘There are people in this country, people who potentially will be Republican Party delegates, who have real questions about whether or not Mormons are real Christians,’ says University of Utah political science professor [and Hinckley Institute of Politics Academic Coordinator] Tim Chambless. ‘Public opinion polls range from 34 percent to 39 percent of Republicans who indicate that, as evangelicals, they will not vote for a Mormon for president.’”

June 6, 2011: “Utah wilderness plan a model for U.S.” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”I was not aware of the depth of feeling on the issue until I ran for the Senate in 1992. My Democratic opponent, Wayne Owens, favored designating a large portion of the state as wilderness, and the vast majority of rural Utahns, whose lives would have been impacted by his proposals, were almost violently opposed. I quickly learned that if I wanted to be taken seriously in the counties south of Provo, I had to make myself knowledgeable on the subject.” Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.

June 5, 2011: “Mormons Rock!” by Walter Kirn (Newsweek) ”In the words of Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and a practicing Mormon, Romney and Huntsman are typical of what happens when prominent members of the church spend time ‘in environments where Mormonism is simply not a part of the everyday equation.’ They blend in.”

June 3, 2011: “High unemployment is good news for Mitt Romney” by Kimberly Houk (ABC 4 News) ”‘When it comes to the economy, that’s Mitt’s sweet spot. So unfortunately, for the rest of the country the more dramatic the economic news the better it is for Romney’s chances and to beat Obama,’ saidKirk Jowers. Jowers is the director for the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. He’s also a close friend of the Romney family. He said for Romney to be successful, he can not let the economic discussion stray away from the economy. In Reagan’s words, are you better off now than you were 4 years ago? That’s what people are always asking, and as you saw in Romney’s speech, he was really trying to tie Obama to the fact that the economy was not getting better, remarked Jowers.

June 2, 2011: “Mitt Romney’s big choice signals strategy” by Jamshid Ghazi Askar (Deseret News) ”‘I imagine Romney will run a different campaign this time than he did last,’ said Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. ‘In 2007 Romney had developed somewhat of a national name as governor of Massachusetts, with the Olympics and with being one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People. But he was not nearly as well known. ¦ Now, Romney has great name ID, the best fundraising network and is labeled as the frontrunner.’”

June 2, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, appeared live in-studio as an anchor guest for the hour to watch and discuss Mitt Romney’s presidential announcement on Fox 13′s Good Morning Utah.

June 1, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio regarding the potential Hatch v. Chaffetz senatorial match-up.

May 31, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the Grant and Amanda Show regarding the Mitt Romney appearance on the Today Show and Romney’s announcement this week.

May 30, 2011: “Huntsman uses weekend for serious family talks concerning presidency” by Kylie Conway (ABC 4 News) ”Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers says if Huntsman throws his hat in the ring, this could be a great race. You know, you hear democrats talk a lot about two of Utah’s favorite sons. Romney and Huntsman, said Jowers. Jowers says Huntsman particularly threatens democrats because of his more moderate stance. That could give him the chance to steal votes from independents who could be willing to swing their vote. I think if he declares he and his family will be ready and they’ll make it an even more interesting race especially for us here in Utah, said Jowers.

May 28, 2011: “Bennett back from African aid trip” by Matt Canham (Salt Lake Tribune) ”Bennett’s work with the U.N. Foundation is the latest in his post-Senate obligations. After losing a re-election bid in 2010, Bennett has started his own lobbying firm, signed up with the Bipartisan Policy Center, mentored interns from the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and written a regular column for the Deseret News.”

May 24, 2011: “The GOP’s Sinophile US Presidential Candidate” by Hamish McKenzie (Asia Sentinel) ”Some observers believe Huntsman’s Asian experience “ he also served as ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush “ would stand him in good stead for a run for the Presidency. “One thing that is perceived as lacking in the Republican field is foreign policy experience and understanding,” says Kirk Jowers, director of the Salt Lake City-based Hinckley Institute of Politics and a former adviser to Huntsman. “Romney’s very tough to beat if economy is the number one issue… but if foreign policy turns into the top issue, then that could be the opening that gives Huntsman some air.”

May 24, 2011: “Romney, Huntsman and 2012″ by Doug Fabrizio (Radiowest KUER 90.1) ”Mormonism is making headlines again in the Republican presidential race. In 2008, there were a lot of questions about Mitt Romney’s membership in the LDS Church. Romney’s thrown his hat in the ring again, but chances are he won’t be alone. Utah’s own Jon Huntsman hasn’t officially declared, but he’s just off a 5-day tour of early primary state New Hampshire. Tuesday, we’re talking about the 2012 prospects for Romney and Huntsman and what being “Mormon” means to them and to American voters.”

May 20, 2011: “‘I am Mormon,’ Huntsman tells ‘Good Morning America’” by Lisa Riley Roche (Deseret News & KSL) ”Mormonism is an absolute catnip for national media. They can’t get enough of it,” Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and an adviser to another LDS contender for the White House, Mitt Romney. “I think Mormon candidates probably feel like it’s not completely fair,” Jowers said. “Most other people can get away with one more superficial answer. But that’s the world Mitt Romney faced in 2008 and is still facing. That’s what Huntsman will face going forward.”

May 19, 2011: “Congressman suggests selling Utah” (KSL) “At the University of Utah, political science professor Tim Chambless raised concerns about precedent. To sell off your assets is something you want to think long and hard about, Chambless said. Interest is one thing. To sell off your principal is another.

May 12, 2011: “Huntsman And His Faith A Tough Question” by Fields Moseley (KUTV) ”‘Religion, especially Mormonism has proven like catnip to the national media,’ Kirk Jowers. The director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics Director knows Huntsman personally and professionally. ‘I think that is not necessarily him pandering to these different constituencies, but rather, kind of his more globalist view of philosophies and ideas,’ Jowers said.”

May 12, 2011: “Mitt Romney: Mass. health law differs from Obama’s” by Philip Elliot (Deseret News) ”Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’sHinckley Institute of Politics and a Romney supporter said the speech was a good starting point. ‘It is a question among voters, about how ‘Romneycare’ and ‘Obamacare’ compare and what his vision for the future is. ¦ It’s a great first step of settling the issue. Romney has been very consistent on saying health care should be left to the states,’ Jowers said.”

May 12, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed by Marc Giaque on KSL Radio regarding the Time Magazine article on Ambassador Huntsman and Governor Mitt Romney’s healthcare address.

May 12, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the Rod Arquette Show regarding reforming Utah’s caucus and convention system.

May 12, 2011: ” Rep. Rob Bishop meets with Utah constituents, ds a news conference with Sen. Mike Enzi to re-introduce the Repeal Amendment and sits down with students from the U.’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.” (Politics Cornflakes)

May 11, 2011: ” Sen. Orrin Hatch meets with Utah Realtors, attends a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Columbia Free Trade Agreement, and hosts meetings with the Utah Association of Realtors, Chevron CEO John Watson and students from the U. of U.’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.” (Political Cornflakes)

May 4, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the KSL Radio regarding the political implications of former President Jimmy Carter complimenting Jon Huntsman, Jr. as a potential presidential candidate.

May 4, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the KSL TV regarding the political implications of former President Jimmy Carter complimenting Jon Huntsman, Jr. as a potential presidential candidate.

May 3, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the Grant and Amanda Show regarding the political implications of Osama Bin Laden’s death for President Obama.

May 2, 2011: “Birther question should be dropped” by Robert Bennett” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”I had no intention of writing about President Obama’s birth certificate until I was asked, after his press conference on the subject, “Why didn’t he produce it a long time ago?” The question shows how difficult it is to squash a ridiculous story once it has “gone viral” on the web. Time for a little history. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

April 28, 2011: “Huntsman facing steep path to presidency” by Matt Hopkins and John Daley (KSL) ”‘People use the analogy of a surfer. You have to be a great surfer to win, but you also have to catch the right wave,’ explained Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. ‘You also have to catch the right wave. His wave is going to be foreign policy. Romney’s is going to be the economy. If one of those is cresting at the right time, who knows what will happen.’”

April 28, 2011: “Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on the regarding legislators considering overriding Governor Herbert’s veto.”

April 26, 2011: “Worldwide internships open doors” by Chris Shapard (Daily Utah Chronicle) ”The international internship program, which is supported by the Hinckley Institute of Politics, is the first of its kind to be offered in England. Benns will be one of three students to pioneer the new experience. Benns discovered the opportunity while working for the institute as a staff assistant. She worked with the Utah Legislature during the 2010 session as an intern for the chief advocate of United Way, and said she has always been interested in government functions.”

April 25, 2011: “Let’s lower our voices and make sure we’re telling the truth” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Last week I sat on a panel where the topic was civility in public discourse. The panelists were asked if nastiness in America’s political dialog was at its highest point in our history. All agreed that the answer was “no,” but that is small comfort. Just because we do not settle differences the way Aaron Burr did with Alexander Hamilton by shooting him ds not mean that the present atmosphere of vitriol is healthy.Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

April 25, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio’s Doug Wright Show regarding President Young’s departure from the University of Utah.

April 22, 2011: “Politics Up Close: Imam Muhammad Musri” by Jeff Robinson (KCPW) ”Imam Muhammad Musri was launched into the spotlight for trying to stop a Florida Pastor from burning the Quran. We talked with him about that effort, and what it’s like to be Muslim in the U.S. He spoke in Salt Lake City this week at the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations and the Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

April 21, 2011: “Think for yourself, keep perspective” by Danny Goaslind (Daily Utah Chronicle) ”I am working on Capitol Hill as a congressional intern through the Hinckley Institute of Politics. I’ve been here since January and will leave in the next couple of weeks. Naturally, as my time is winding down, my thoughts turn to some of the experiences that I’ve had here and the lessons that have come along with them. I was asked the other day, ‘What will you miss most about Washington, D.C.?’ I became somewhat nostalgic as I thought about my response:

April 18, 2011: “The good, the bad and the hopeful” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”For decades, every serious policy maker has realized that the spending trajectory of these programs must change if our long-term debt problem is to be solved, but any attempt to do so was considered political suicide. Bills introduced on the subject were sidetracked and ignored. I know because my bills dealing with entitlements, while praised by financial experts, never attracted a single co-sponsor or became the subject of a single hearing. That’s now changed.” ”Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

April 11, 2011: “Brazil Ambassador visits Utah” by Spencer Garn (Deseret News) ”Utah has both, Vieira said, referencing the 12 to 15 thousand Brazilians in the state and a Brazilian company in Lindon Utah. When Vieira met with Lt. Governor Greg Bell earlier Monday, they discussed further plans to strengthen business relations including an upcoming Bell plans to make with a business delegation. [He will speak at the Hinckley Institute of Politicson Tuesday].”

April 11, 2011: “UDOT didn’t have documents to support $13 million settlement ” by Lisa Riley Roche (KSL) ”An adviser to the governor, Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, said despite the hard hit Herbert’s campaign took over the controversy, the governor still won big last November. “I think he was vindicated in the election and nothing was changed with that in this audit,” Jowers said. “It’s his choice now whether he will take up the mantra on being a reformer” and extend some of the audit’s findings on transparency and conflicts of interest to other areas of state government.” ((Story also provided at Deseret News).

April 4, 2011: “Reagan: political skills and solid principles” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Like most Americans, I wasn’t aware of Reagan as anything more than an actor whose career had ended until I saw the televised speech he gave in support of Barry Goldwater in 1964. It was powerful enough to launch his political career; just two years later, in 1966, he was elected governor of California. In 1968, many conservatives backed him for president. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

April 1, 2011: “Streak: Another U. student wins prestigious Truman scholarship : by Brian Maffly (Deseret News) ”‘Untold lives have been inspired by theHinckley Institute’s efforts to elevate the caliber of public service and political discourse, using their valuable influence in Utah as well as on national and global stages,” Peart said in a news release. “Receiving this scholarship and the distinction it entails evokes in me an enormous sense of responsibility to continue on into public service. I hope to honor this trust in my efforts to realize a vision of expanding democracy and voter efficacy in developing states.’”

March 31, 2011: “Are there fatal flaws in politics anymore?” by Paul Nelson (KSL) ”ll of these skeletons in the political closet are reasons why these candidates can’t win the 2012 election, right? Not necessarily, according to Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers. ‘I don’t see anyone with a so-called ˜fatal flaw,’ he said. Jowers says flaws are not nearly as fatal as they sound on paper, no matter what party the candidate represents. President Barack Obama was criticized for not having enough experience. President Bill Clinton was labeled as a philanderer by his critics. President Ronald Reagan was called a shallow actor. President George W. Bush was¦ well, many negative things were said about President Bush. All of these men had what were supposed to be reasons why they couldn’t win a presidential election. Yet, each one landed the job.

March 28, 2011: “Could budget cuts favor Obama?” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”Recent news out of Congress has been about the possibility of a dramatic face off between President Obama and the Congress over spending. The newly Republican House has been demanding deep cuts in what’s left of Fiscal 2011 (it ends on Sept. 30) and threatening to “shut down the Government” if they don’t get their way.Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

March 28, 2011: “Federal shutdown could disrupt Utah jobs ” by Richard Piatt (KSL) ”‘Remember back to 1995 with Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton,’ said Kirk Jowers of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. ’With Gingrich and Clinton, Clinton was at a lower point in the polls than Obama is right now. But he used the shutdown as a trampoline to jump into a second term. He did it very effectively, so the gamesmanship will be fascinating,’ Jowers said.”

March 26, 2011: “Can balanced budget amendment put to an end to U.S. deficit?” by Kelly McConkie Henriod (Deseret News) ”Earlier this month, Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, along with Republican heavyweights like Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, were set to unveil yet another draft of a proposed balanced budget amendment. The event was scuttled by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in order to garner a wider base of Republican support, but it’s not going away. A part of the Republican platform since 1980, and proposed by Hatch 27 times, the time has perhaps never been more ripe to pass the amendment, says Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah.”

March 25, 2011: ” Doug Wright speaks to ” and for ” Utah’s moderates” by Glen Warchol (Salt Lake Tribune) ”With Wright’s huge following in the middle of Utah’s political spectrum, being interviewed by ‘the most trusted voice in Utah’ has strong appeal to politicians, says Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. ‘He is respected as a fair interviewer by everyone but those at the extremes of either party,’ Jowers says. There is an understanding that if [an office holder] is coming on, [Wright] will not be impolite.

March 21, 2011: “Who is Utah’s Biggest Publicity Hound?” by Bryan Schott (Utah Policy) ”WHO IS UTAH’S BIGGEST PUBLICITY HOUND? PLEASE RANK THE FOLLOWING POLITICIANS AND WANNABES, BASED ON HOW PUBLICITY-HUNGRY THEY ARE AND HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE IN GETTING THEIR NAMES IN THE NEWS. RANK THE TOP PUBLICITY HOUND WITH A NO. 1, DOWN TO NO. 5 FOR THE LEAST SUCCESSFUL PUBLICITY HOUND. AND ADD OTHER ANY PUBLICITY HOUNDS YOU THINK SHOULD BE ON THE LIST.”

March 20, 2011: “Public gives Legislature mediocre grade after late dustup over GRAMA” by Paul Kpp (Deseret News) ”According to Jowers [Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics], that’s more evidence of a gulf between activist delegates ” who control party conventions and therefore many politicians’ fates ” and the general public. ‘Again and again, we see vast majorities of Utahns are conservative, compassionate, pragmatic people who want reasonable solutions,’ he said. ‘But when politicians give the people what they want, the delegates try to make them pay for it.’”

March 15, 2011: “House rep. holds press conference explaining intentions signing HB 477″ by Aaron Vaughn ”Rep. Powell, R-Heber, voted yes on House Bill 477 two times, once during the initial vote and another time when the governor recalled it. But Powell said during a live radio interview that he did not want to vote for the law, which would restrict the public from accessing certain government records, including emails and text messages. Powell said he felt pressured by House leadership, but appeared to backtrack a little further explaining his intentions.”

March 14, 2011: “Hinckley Institute: Combining Politics and Education” (The News) ”Politics is a necessary component of our government, just as education is a necessary component of an informed citizenry. These societal segments feed each other in many ways, both adversarial and cooperative. As such, Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, was the latest presenter for the biannual meetings of Leaders Associates. Along with an overview on America’s political landscape, Jowers addressed the ever important educational issue of civility as well as how schools can teach students to civilly engage in politics.’

March 14, 2011: “Three biggest entitlement programs” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ” In a previous column I used the term ‘entitlement spending,’ and a number of people have asked me what that means, exactly. In law, ‘to entitle’ is to bestow a legal right. If you buy a government bond, you have a legal right to the interest payment promised in the bond. Your right to that payment is so secure that the government must give it to you even if it has to borrow the money in order to do it. Robert Bennett, former U.S. Senator from Utah, is a part-time teacher, researcher and lecturer at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

March 13, 2011: “More Mormons pursuing the presidency” by Mark Hemingway (GetReligion.org) ”The mixture has created overwhelmingly conservative politics in heavily Mormon states such as Utah and Idaho, but with a pragmatic twist, says Kirk Jowers, a Mormon and the director of theHinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. It may not be a coincidence that Mr Romney in Massachusetts and Mr Huntsman in Utah made the two biggest state-level efforts to reform health care (Mr Romney’s reform even resembling Barack Obama’s to a striking degree).”

March 2, 2011: “Two students are finalists for Truman Scholarship” by Marie Lenihan-Clarke (Daily Utah Chronicle) ”The finalists for the 2011 Harry S. Truman Scholarship were announced this week. Two U students are in the running for the $30,000 scholarship, which can be used toward graduate study, training and career counseling. Finalists will also have opportunities to work with federal government departments. ‘Essentially, this is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships in the U.S. and is remarkable in what it offers for the students”not only ds it offer a large sum of money, but it also gives priority admission to some of the best schools,’ said Taylor Morgan, political programs coordinator for the Hinckley Institute of Politics.”

February 28, 2011: “Kitchen table model dsn’t work” by Robert Bennett (Deseret News) ”‘The American people know what it takes to get things under control,’ the Outs say. “As they sit at the kitchen table going over their bills, they know that if they can’t get a raise from the boss down at the factory, they must cut back on their spending. The Ins don’t seem to understand this truth, and look at the mess they have gotten us into!’”

February 27, 2011:Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, appeared live in-studio to discuss what to expect in the final two weeks of the legislative session on Fox 13′s Good Morning Utah.

February 23, 2011: “Utah’s fourth House seat to add clout in Washington” by Katie Barlow (Universe – BYU) ”A big question is whether the new lines will create an advantage for Republicans. Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, said Republicans in Utah control the state House and Senate with more than super majorities, as well as the governor’s office, so the GOP will have complete control in setting the boundaries. ‘Like Democrats and Republicans with control all over the country, they will draw the lines that most favor their own party,’ Jowers said. ‘The big question is whether Republicans will be able to redistrict in such a way that they create an opportunity to unseat Jim Matheson or force him to run for the Senate.

February 17, 2011: “Mitt Romney meets with Utah lawmakers and supporters ” by Lisa Riley ROche and Dennis Romboy (KSL) “Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics and a longtime Romney supporter who is also close to Huntsman, helped set up Romney’s visit to the Utah capitol. ‘A lot of people got on the Romney presidential bandwagon in 2008,’ Jowers said, noting an unprecedented 90 percent of Utah Republicans backed Romney in the party’s presidential primary. Jowers downplayed Romney’s stop in Utah as mostly personal, but hinted an announcement may be coming soon. ‘I think it’s definitely fair to say Gov. Romney has done everything he would need to do to be able to run for president if he chooses to do that. Certainly there’s no announcement yet,’ Jowers said, from any legitimate candidate.”

February 15, 2011: “U.S. Constitution Gets Second Life With New Website” (Utah Business.com) ”Other donors for the ConSource website include Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Bob Bishop (R-UT). Bishop supported the House of Representatives opening its session by reading the Constitution in January, and he is encouraging other politicians to donate to the site. University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics Director Kirk Jowers has also donated. (2.16.11)”

February 10, 2011: “Todd Landfried and Lydia Guzman, about Immigration Reform” (City Weekly) ” At the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Todd Landfried, spokesman for Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform, and Lydia Guzman, president of Somos America and Respect Respeto, will talk with policy makers and the public about the implications of SB 1070 in Arizona. They will address the consequences of the immigration enforcement-only bill on the economy and public safety.”

February 9, 2011: ” Army undersecretary recants” by Steve Fidel (KSL) ”On Wednesday, Hinckley Institute of Politics director Kirk Jowers said the institute was honored to have Westphal as a speaker. “Part of the joy and thrill of having live speakers in front of students and the community is sometimes they say things they could not or would not say in another setting,” Jowers said. “This seems to be a classic example of a speaker saying something that may well be true, especially in light of the Secretary Clinton’s statements of a few months ago, but is very unhelpful in the diplomatic relations with the international community, and particularly Mexico in this case.”

February 7, 2011: ” Utah Dem seeks campaign contribution limits” by Lee Davidson (Salt Lake Tribune) ”A governor’s commission called for it and Utahns consistently favor it in polls. So Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, introduced a bill Monday that would cap campaign donations ” but she openly doubts that it will go far. . . . Her bill would limit donations to candidates for statewide office, such as governor or attorney general, to $10,000 per donor; $5,000 per donor to legislative candidates; $40,000 per donor to state political parties; and $10,000 per donor to state political action committees. ‘Those are the same limits proposed by the Governor’s Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy created by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Chavez-Houck said.’

February 7, 2011: “WVC Mayor Mike Winder attends a state Republican Party breakfast, joins a Hinckley Institute of Politics meeting and later hits.” (Political Cornflakes)

February 2, 2011: “Barack Obama’s man in Beijing hopes to out-Obama Obama in 2012″ by Araminta Wadsworth (National Post) ’As Lisa Riley Roche at The Deseret News reports, ‘A Huntsman run would likely mean two Mormon candidates with Utah ties. Former Utah Olympic leader Mitt Romney ran unsuccessfully in 2008 for the GOP nomination and is expected to announce this spring he’s running again. ˜For Utahns and members of the LDS Church, it’s an embarrassment of riches,’ Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, said. ˜How that plays out will be really interesting. But it’s kind of nice not to be marginalized.’”

February 2. 2011: “Analysts weigh in on Huntsman’s plans” Andreas Rivera (Daily Utah Chronicle) “‘(Huntsman) put everything into his job (as ambassador),’ said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Now is the perfect time for him to resign, especially after the historical Chinese state visit, he said. His vision is higher than a position in the Senate, Jowers said. Depending on different factors, including support from fellow Republicans, other potential candidates, finding a niche of voters and funding, Huntsman might or might not run.

February 1, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed by Good Day Utah on Fox 13.

February 1, 2011: “Huntsman resigns…possible presidential bid?” by Jenny Brundin (KUER) ”With the announcement, Jon Huntsman is now considered a possible presidential candidate. The 50-year-old Republican already has a fundraising PAC, a new home in Washington D.C. and his supporters are making calls to put together a campaign-in-waiting should he decide to run. Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, says it’s unclear how Huntsman’s moderate stance on issues like civil unions for gay couples and global warming would play in the Republican nomination process. ’If all of the candidates seem to be segregated into the Tea Party Republican camp,’ said Jowers, ‘he becomes become very interesting. If foreign policy becomes a major issue, that becomes interesting.’ Jowers says on the negative side, Huntsman has a late start and lacks a nationwide fundraising base. BYU political science professor Quinn Monson says Huntsman is up against more than that.”

January 31, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politcs by Noah Bond of ABC 4 “WIth his refusal to shut the door on running for president his name has exploded and Hunstman has now become a very interesting potential candidate.”

January 31, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed by Tamara Vaifunua of Fox 13 ”The question will be whether that service can be appreciated on its own merit or will the fact that the service was for President Obama be too much an impediment for a Republican primary.”

January 31, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on KSL Radio regairding Jon Huntsman’s possilbe presidential bid.

January 31, 2011: “White House says Huntsman leaving ambassadorship” by Lisa Riley Roche with contributions from John Daley ” “There are warring factions within the Republican Party,” said Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. “If Huntsman runs, he will be choosing sides in that internal Republican war instead of waging one from the outside.”

January 31, 2011: ” Huntsman resigns diplomatic post, weighs White House bid” by Thomas Burr (Salt Lake Tribune) ”That said, both Huntsman and Romney are often referred to by their Mormon membership, a point that fellow Mormon and head of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics, Kirk Jowers, says may not be as big a concern this time around. ‘I don’t think having two Mormons at the top of all nomination chatter is a bad thing, Jowers said. If anything, it moves Mormonism more into the central mainstream of the party to see two of perhaps the top five or six candidates from the same religion.’

January 23, 2011: “Dan Liljenquist rising from ashes of plane crash” by Jamshid Ghazi Askar (Deseret News) ”‘Dan Liljenquist is in the top 1 percent of our elected officials in Utah,’ said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. ‘He took on an incredibly thorny issue with the state pension plan. It’s one of those problems where it’s usually too difficult for a state part-time legislator to ever dare invest the time and effort because the chance of solving it seems too low. ‘But nonetheless, I think he did an amazing job with it. I think all Utahns owe Dan a great debt of gratitude for taking on (pension reform).’”

January 23, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, appeared live in-studio to discuss the upcoming legislative session on Fox 13′s Good Morning Utah.

January 23, 2011: “News analysis: Utahns don’t mind sending some messages” by Con Psarras (Deseret News) ”The poll, taken in September of 600 active voters, was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates as part of the Utah Priorities Project, an effort by the Deseret News, KSL, the Utah Foundation and the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, to assess the top issues among those most likely to vote in last November’s general election. Though a few months old, the poll offers valid insight into the mood of the people who comprise the Legislature’s full constituency.”

January 20, 2011: “Welcome: To all the Hinckley Institute of Politics interns and also to students in Peter Watkins’ Comm 5200 class. Whatever you do, don’t read this story about Peter because I promised I wouldn’t make a big deal about it. [Trib].” (Political Cornflakes)

January 18, 2011: “Hinckley forum will look at ban on affirmative action” by Doug Jennings (Daily Utah Chronicle) ”‘We wanted the panel to examine the issue from three standpoints”a legal standpoint with Judge Memmott, an education standpoint with Dr. Parker and a community standpoint with Ms. Williams,’ said Rochelle Parker, communication and outreach coordinator for the institute. ‘Our goal at the Hinckley Institute is to engage community leaders, students, and policymakers in a meaningful dialogue about this issue and the effects that this resolution would have on the U and its surrounding communities.’”

January 16, 2011: “On the Record – Bob Bennett Segment 2″ by Kristine Pratt (ABC 4) ”After Senator Bennett was defeated at the state Republican Convention, many wondered about a write-in candidacy. Bennett says that he was serious about it for about 10 days. “While the competitive juices were still there, I thought about it. But I had only planned on serving another term at most.” He says he realized the consequences would have been worse if he did have a write-in candidacy.’

January 16, 2011:On the Record – Bob Bennett Segment 1″ Kristine Pratt (ABC 4) ” But But [Senator] Bennett definitely wants to stay involved. He has several new gigs lined up including working at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, serve on several boards, and go on a speaking tour. ‘As I was putting all this together, my Senate duties got in the way!’ Bennett says he still fulfilled his political duties, but he says he was looking forward to his future. definitely wants to stay involved.

January 14, 2011: “MODERNIZING VOTER REGISTRATION” by Ryan Lesar (Fox 13) “The conference begins at 10:30 a.m. with a Hinckley Forum entitled, ‘UpgradingDemocracy: Modernizing Utah’s Voter Registration,’ featuring Lt. Gov. Greg Bell; Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers; David Becker, project director, Election Initiatives, Pew Center on the States; Jeff Butcher, Executive IT Architect, IBM; and county election officials. This forum will be followed by a policy lunch and working groups that will be attended by Utah state officials, Utah legislators, county officials,community leaders and academic leaders.”

January 14, 2011: “Utah To Modernize Voter Registration Statewide” (GovMonitor) ”Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute and acting chair of the Governor’s Commission said he is honored to work with Gov. Herbert, Lt. Gov. Bell and his office and Pew in seeking ways to bolster political participation in and empower the citizens of our great state. ‘Pew has created a program that provides a common-sense approach to ensuring that properly registered citizens may vote while also protecting the integrity of elections by providing a safeguard against invalid or inaccurate registrations,’ Jowers said.”

January 9, 2011: Kirk Jowers, Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics was interviewed on Fox 13 Evening News regarding the tragic shooting in Arizona of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others at a political gathering.